Destination Management, Creativity & the Future of Torbay
Our August Torbay Business Forum breakfast brought together businesses from across Torbay and South Devon to explore two important areas helping to shape the future of the Bay: destination management and the continued growth of Torbay’s creative economy.
The event took place on Tuesday 4 August 2026 at the Riviera International Centre in Torquay.
Cllr Jackie Thomas opened the session by highlighting some of the projects being enabled by Torbay Council and the importance of a business-led approach to shaping Torbay’s future.
Jackie then introduced keynote speaker Maureen McAllister, who shared her experience of strategic tourism development and discussed the emerging Destination Management Plan.
Torbay’s Destination Management Plan
Tourism remains one of Torbay’s most valuable economic sectors. The Destination Management Plan will play an important role in shaping the English Riviera as a place to live, work, invest and visit.
The presentation explored the Plan’s priorities and direction as well as what it could mean for local businesses, tourism operators and Torbay’s wider economy.
With more than 25 years of experience in strategic tourism marketing and destination development across the public and private sectors, Maureen provided valuable insight into the opportunities ahead and the importance of collaboration throughout the visitor economy.
Torbay Creative Cluster
The morning also included an update from Simon Beer and Maureen McAllister on the development of the Torbay Creative Cluster.
The Creative Cluster is a collaborative network created to support, connect and grow Torbay’s creative economy. It brings together people working across advertising, design, digital production, marketing, media and the arts.
Chaired by Matthew Blay of Superb, the initiative is built around three key themes:
- Growing creativity
- Celebrating creativity
- Connecting creative people and businesses
Through regular meet-ups, networking events and collaborative projects, the Cluster is helping to strengthen one of the Bay’s fastest-growing sectors and position Torbay as a leading creative destination in the South West.
Thank you to our speakers and to everyone who joined us for another informative and engaging Torbay Business Forum breakfast.
View the presentation
A copy of Cllr Jackie Thomas’s presentation from the event is available to download here.
